标签： Jamaica

ST JAMES, Jamaica — In a significant move to strengthen community-led security initiatives, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Delroy Chuck has commissioned 28 new Justices of the Peace (JPs) with a mandate to enhance collaborative crime prevention measures. The commissioning ceremony, held Friday at Grand-A-View Event Place, marked a strategic expansion of Jamaica’s community justice network.

Minister Chuck articulated a vision where JPs serve as critical intermediaries between law enforcement and citizens, leveraging their unique community positioning to facilitate intelligence sharing and public guidance. While clarifying that JPs won’t assume policing responsibilities, the minister emphasized their role in confidentially relaying credible information about criminal activities to authorities.

The justice minister framed crime reduction as a collective national endeavor requiring coordinated efforts between residents and security forces. He specifically urged the newly appointed JPs to utilize their influence to steer youth toward education and legitimate employment opportunities rather than criminal pathways.

Chuck’s address highlighted the dual role of JPs as both community confidants and law enforcement allies, noting their firsthand understanding of neighborhood dynamics makes them invaluable in bridging institutional gaps. The minister pointed to recent security improvements in St James as evidence that sustained partnership between community leaders and police produces tangible public safety benefits.

The commissioning ceremony represents Jamaica’s broader strategy to institutionalize community participation in crime prevention, recognizing that operational police work must be complemented by grassroots engagement to achieve lasting security gains.

In a tragic turn of events, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard successfully recovered the body of a young boy from the Rio Cobre river in St. Catherine parish on Saturday afternoon. The operation unfolded after emergency responders received reports that a minor had disappeared in the waterway earlier that day.

According to official statements from the JDF, their specialized dive team from the 2nd District mobilized quickly upon receiving the search request. The divers commenced their operation in the designated area where the child was last seen entering the river around 2:00 PM local time.

After nearly four hours of intensive search efforts, the Coast Guard personnel located and retrieved the deceased child’s body at approximately 5:50 PM. The recovery occurred in the same section of the river where the boy was initially reported missing, bringing a sorrowful conclusion to the search operation.

The Jamaica Defence Force confirmed that the recovered remains were formally transferred to the Spanish Town Police Department, which will oversee the subsequent investigation and procedures. Law enforcement authorities have initiated standard protocols for such incidents, though specific details regarding the circumstances leading to the tragedy remain under investigation.

In an official communiqué, the JDF expressed profound sympathy and extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving family members, acknowledging the devastating loss they are enduring. The incident has highlighted the ongoing water safety concerns in the region, particularly during the current period when seasonal rains have increased river currents throughout Jamaica.

LONDON, United Kingdom – Freshly disclosed legal documents have unveiled disturbing communications between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, Duke of York, revealing Epstein’s attempt to introduce a Russian woman to the British royal in 2010.

The correspondence, among millions of pages released by the U.S. Justice Department, contains an August 12, 2010 email where Epstein proposed that the prince meet “a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with.” Epstein described the woman as a 26-year-old Russian national who was both “clever and beautiful,” noting she would be in London from August 20-24.

Court records indicate Prince Andrew inquired what Epstein had told the woman about him and whether she would be delivering “a message” from Epstein. The Duke subsequently responded that he would be in Geneva on August 22 but expressed he “would be delighted to see her.”

Additional communications from September 2010 reveal discussions about a potential private dinner at Buckingham Palace. Epstein contacted Andrew during a London stay, writing: “What time would you like me… we will also need (to)… have private time.” Andrew responded by offering dinner at the palace with “lots of privacy,” later extending an invitation for Epstein to come “with whomever” between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

The documents contain no evidence confirming whether either proposed meeting actually occurred. These revelations emerge against the backdrop of Epstein’s August 2010 probation from house arrest following his conviction for procuring an underage girl for prostitution.

This disclosure further contradicts Prince Andrew’s previous claims to the BBC that he had severed ties with Epstein by December 2010. The royal, who was stripped of all titles by King Charles III last year following extensive controversy over his association with Epstein, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The documents add context to the ongoing scandal that culminated in Andrew’s removal from royal duties and his Windsor estate. The prince previously settled a multi-million-pound lawsuit with Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew on three occasions while she was a minor. Andrew denied the allegations without admitting guilt. Giuffre died by suicide in Australia this past April, while Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019.

In an unprecedented display of communal unity, thirty-two Rastafari organizations have coalesced to initiate the Relief, Rebuild & Rise (RRR) fundraising webathon. This groundbreaking initiative emerges from the community’s recognition that mainstream disaster response mechanisms have systematically failed to address their unique cultural and practical requirements in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

The February 1st event, strategically timed with the commencement of Black History and Reggae Month, represents a paradigm shift toward self-determined recovery. Organizers have identified a critical funding target of US$500,000 to address what they describe as institutional neglect of their specific needs, including dietary restrictions and the restoration of sacred spaces.

Ras Biah Evans, co-chair of the Rastafari Mansions and Organizations (RMO), articulated the philosophical foundation behind this movement: ‘For decades, our community has maintained self-reliance as a survival strategy against marginalization. Conventional support systems cannot accommodate our ital dietary requirements, health practices, and cultural protocols. Therefore, our recovery must be community-directed.’

The initiative has garnered remarkable support from internationally acclaimed artists, including Grammy winners Julian Marley, Gramps Morgan, and Kabaka Pyramid, alongside Ghana’s multi-Grammy nominee Rocky Dawuni. The performance roster further features Sister Carol, Yami Bolo, Jah9, Spragga Benz, and Hempress Sativa—all contributing to this historic effort.

Sister Samantha Fagan, RMO executive secretary, noted the overwhelming enthusiasm from entertainers: ‘Solidarity begins at home. Many artists either identify as Rastafari or work within reggae circles profoundly influenced by our culture. When they witness a community-led initiative seeking strength, support becomes automatic.’

Julian Marley emphasized the collective nature of the endeavor: ‘Our resilience stems from togetherness. We urgently hope for global support from open hearts worldwide.’

The live-streamed event, accessible through RDDM Media, will originate from the Bob Marley Museum with a 10:30 AM launch. Proceeds will primarily reconstruct five Rastafari community centers devastated by the Category 5 hurricane, establishing operational bases for delivering targeted aid to the most vulnerable community members.

Dr. Kerida McDonald, RMO public relations officer and former United Nations senior advisor, framed the initiative within broader historical context: ‘Rastafari philosophy centers on redemption and self-determination. These rebuilt centers will function as trusted community organizations capable of partnering with government and humanitarian agencies in Jamaica’s recovery, particularly in food security through ital farming and sustainable livelihood creation.’

Beyond immediate relief, organizers envision constructing hurricane-resilient infrastructure. First Man Edward Wray, an RMO founding member, explained: ‘Temporary rebuilding using available materials like zinc and fallen poles is underway. However, we seek international partners providing financial and technical assistance for disaster-proof designs, enabling our community to focus on long-term development rather than recurrent reconstruction.’

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican law enforcement authorities have apprehended two individuals, one of whom is an active-duty police constable, during coordinated counter-narcotics operations across Hanover and Westmoreland parishes. The arrests occurred on Friday following intelligence-driven missions executed by specialized units.

The joint operation, spearheaded by the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch (CTOC) in partnership with the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID), yielded significant confiscations including 85 rounds of assorted ammunition, a motor vehicle, multiple mobile communication devices, and an undisclosed amount of currency.

Initial operations in Hanover targeted illegal ammunition trafficking networks, resulting in the detention of two suspects. Subsequent vehicle searches revealed concealed ammunition within their automobile. Based on gathered intelligence, investigators expanded operations to Westmoreland where additional ammunition was discovered at a residential property.

Those in custody include a 31-year-old police officer from the Westmoreland Police Division and a 39-year-old civilian. Both detainees face potential charges under Jamaica’s Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act of 2022, with ongoing investigations examining the full extent of the alleged violations.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has emphasized its stringent position against criminal conduct within its ranks, stating all recovered evidence has been transferred to specialized forensic units for detailed analysis and processing.

Jamaica’s primary electricity provider, Jamaica Public Service (JPS), has announced significant progress in restoring power across the island, achieving 96% customer connectivity ahead of its January 31st target. The utility company confirmed it has entered the final phase of restoration operations following October’s devastating Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.

This concluding stage presents substantial technical challenges, requiring complete redesign and reconstruction of severely damaged infrastructure in remote areas with difficult terrain. JPS emphasized that restoring power to smaller, scattered customer clusters demands intensive resources and specialized expertise.

The remarkable recovery progress reflects the dedicated efforts of JPS technical crews supplemented by regional and international line workers. Company leadership highlighted that strategic coordination with multiple stakeholders proved instrumental in overcoming obstacles. Collaborative engagement with political representatives, business community members, utility partners, and affected customers facilitated critical access, priority alignment, and expectation management throughout the restoration process.

Recent advancements within the past 48 hours include successful re-energization of numerous communities across multiple parishes:

• Westmoreland: Critical services including Whithorn Police Station and courthouse, plus FLOW and Digicel cellular sites, alongside residential areas in Dunbar River, Deans Valley, and Little London

• St James: Key infrastructure restoration encompassing NWC Pumping Station, educational facilities like Mount Horeb All Age & Infant School, and telecommunications infrastructure

• St Elizabeth: Institutional facilities including Bethlehem Moravian College and Malvern Police Station, plus surrounding communities

JPS maintains mobilized crews across the island working to restore electricity safely and expeditiously. Meanwhile, the company has established temporary energy hubs in affected communities, providing residents with essential power access for device charging, internet connectivity, and other critical services during the final restoration period.